Flexible chamber

Abstract

A chamber having an internal volume, end surfaces and a side wall. The chamber is adapted to change its volume by leakage-free displacement of the end surface. The side wall has at least three adjacent sleeves ( 1 - 6 ), and an elastic seal ( 8 - 14 ) is arranged between each of the sleeves, such that the seals are pressurized and expanded when the sleeves are moved due to a displacement of the end surfaces.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A chamber comprising an internal volume, an end surface and a side wall, the chamber adapted to change the volume by leakage-free displacement of a surface element ( 15 ) constituting said end surface, characterized in that the side wall comprises at least three adjacent rigid sleeves ( 1 - 6 ), and an elastic seal ( 8 - 14 ) is arranged between each of the sleeves, such that the seals are pressurized and expanded when the sleeves are moved due to a displacement of the surface element ( 15 ), said displacement resulting in a decreased internal volume. 
     
     
       2. Chamber according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each elastic seal ( 8 - 14 ) is arranged between the sleeves, or between the surface element and an adjacent rigid sleeve, in such a way that the seal is not stretched or compressed beyond defined, predetermined measures. 
     
     
       3. Chamber according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each elastic seal ( 8 - 14 ) comprises an O-ring being arranged in a groove provided between the sleeves, or between the surface element and an adjacent rigid sleeve, and the height of said groove is changed when the sleeves and the surface element are displaced. 
     
     
       4. Chamber according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each elastic seal ( 8 - 14 ) is moulded, or vulcanized, as an elastic coupling free of leakage between the sleeves and between the surface element and an adjacent rigid sleeve. 
     
     
       5. Chamber according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each elastic seal ( 8 - 14 ) is arranged in a groove having narrow clearances ( 24 ,  26 ) preventing the seal ( 8 - 14 ) from being pressed out of the groove due to the influence of pressure forces.